Nothing kills your confidence quite like pieces of dry, dead skin slowly flaking off your forehead. What gives? Solving what causes dry skin can be trickier than summarizing your life into a 150-character Insta bio. The good news? You absolutely can figure out what’s wreaking havoc on your skin with a little experimenting.
Whether you've been part of the #FlakySkinClub forever or you're dealing with a seemingly random bout of peeling, the process is always the same—annoying AF. But before you can banish your dry skin for good, you need to go full Sherlock Holmes on your face and bring the underlying culprit to light 🕵️♀️ .
So If your skin is drier than the Sahara Desert (same), and no amount of moisturizer can calm it down, then bestie, you've come to the right place.
What causes dry skin?
Waking up to a bunch of flakes and peels can feel like your skin is purposefully trying to sabotage you. While it may seem like your skin is out to get you, dryness is actually caused by a combination of factors—many of which are totally out of your control.
Which leads to desperately Googling things like…
You have questions. And we have answers. What causes dry skin? Let's meet the main culprits:
Fragrance
That lavender-scented body lotion may smell *so* good, but added fragrances can irritate the heck out of your skin.
Soap
If your bar of soap, shampoo, or laundry detergent doesn't include a gentle moisturizing agent, it could be stripping your skin of its natural oils—leaving your skin feeling dry, itchy, and flaky.
Weather
We've all experienced the wrath of wintertime when a drop in temperature turns your once supple and hydrated skin into an itchy, flaky mess.
Genetics
Yep, blame Mom and Dad. If your parents or grandparents had sensitive skin, chances are you will too.
Hard Water
Unfiltered water can contain harsh minerals that can dry out and irritate your skin.
Acne Treatment
Salicylic acid (a common acne-fighting ingredient) can be highly drying if you use it too frequently.
Hot Showers
No matter how cozy it feels, super hot (and super long) showers can damage your skin's outer barrier and zap all its moisture.
Vitamin Deficiencies
Chronic dry skin can also be a sign that you're not getting enough vitamins and nutrients.
Toxic Productivity
Constantly feel like you need to grind or always be doing something to feel productive? We all fall victim to toxic productivity. But here’s the thing: it manifests itself as another stress trigger. And that 10-step skincare routine from yet another beauty influencer? It’s just another task added to the neverending to-do list. Constantly feeling the need to partake in these “productive” self-care rituals can cause breakouts, dry skin, and all sorts of skin woes.
Medical Conditions
Eczema or psoriasis can make your skin extremely dry, itchy, and flaky.
While you might not be able to move to a wetter, warmer climate or magically switch up your genetics, there are some simple dry skin treatments you can do that will soothe your skin.
How do I stop my skin from being so dry?
Treating dry skin can be a bit of a balancing act. When there are likely multiple factors at play, you need to take a holistic approach to make sure that your skin is getting the moisture and nutrients it needs from all angles.
But soothing dry skin doesn't have to be crazy complicated or require every single skincare product under the sun 🌞. Some simple lifestyle tweaking can make a world of difference in how your skin looks—and feels.
Now that you know what causes dry skin, it’s time to figure out what you can do to remedy your flaky situation.
Go fragrance-free
Swap out any harsh, perfumed products for gentler, fragrance-free versions. This way, you can still enjoy all the benefits of your favorite products without irritating your skin.
Turn down the heat
I love a scalding hot shower as much as the next gal, but when it comes to your skin, hot water is NOT your friend. Not only does it strip away your skin's natural oils, but it can also leave your skin red and irritated.
So do your face a favor, and turn down that dial. Warm water is all you need to gently loosen up those stubborn flakes, so stick to this temp on the regular.
Invest in a humidifier
If you live in a climate that's prone to dryness—or if you're stuck in an office that's drier than a tumbleweed—then investing in a humidifier is definitely worthwhile. Dry air can quickly suck the moisture out of your skin, leaving it feeling rough and flaky.
Not to mention, the extra humidity can also help with conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Use a gentle cleanser
Dry skin is a tricky beast. On one hand, you don't want to over-strip it with harsh cleansers. And on the other hand, you don't want to over-moisturize it with greasy lotions. The key is to find a super-gentle cleaner, (like embody's brand new One & Done Oil Cleanser for lazy girls like us) that cleans and hydrates your skin without disrupting its natural barrier.
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
Welcome to the most important step of treating dry skin! No matter what causes dry skin to occur, it needs moisture to heal properly. The trick is to find a moisturizer that will quench your skin's thirst without clogging your pores.
Opt for an oil-free lotion or cream that's packed with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. And be sure to apply it while your skin is still damp from your shower—this will help lock in all that extra moisture.
Drink your water
You know the drill: staying hydrated is essential for pretty much every single function in your body—including your skin. When you don't drink enough water, your skin can become dry, dull, and lackluster.
Your skin is dependent on what you put inside your body as much as what you put outside of it. So get your eight glasses of water a day and watch your skin glow ✨.
Up your omega-3s
Did someone say salmon? Yup, this delicious fish is packed with omega-3 fatty acids—AKA an essential nutrient that helps keep your skin hydrated and plump.
Not a fan of seafood? You can also find omega-3s in other foods like chia seeds, walnuts, and Brussels sprouts. Or you can pop a supplement if you're really struggling to get enough in your diet.
Eat your Retinol
Nope, that's not a typo. You can enjoy all the delicious benefits of Retinol—hello smooth, glowing skin—without the irritation of a topical cream thanks to embody's Retinol Gummy!
If you're already dealing with dry skin, further irritation can only make it worse. Just pop a delicious strawberry-flavored Retinol Gummy to promote cell turnover, reduce breakouts AND achieve flake-free radiant skin—from the inside out.
No matter what causes dry skin, there are remedies to bring much-needed moisture and get that glowy AF skin you crave.
Say Buh-Bye to Dry Skin, and Hello to Glow!
Whether it's annoying flakes, breakouts, or dullness, taking care of our skin can be an overwhelming task. Info online will have you thinking you need to drink a gallon of homemade celery juice and adopt a 2-hour, 21-step routine to fix your skin woes.
I don't know about you, but I'm over it 🙅♀️.
Despite what snake oils influencers are selling, simplicity is your skin's best friend. And there's nothing simpler than embody's new One & Done Cleanser.
Plant-based oils? Check. Gentle, deep cleansing? Oh yeah. Easy AF to use? We wouldn’t have it any other way!
Just massage a small, dime-sized amount of oil onto your dry skin, moistening your fingertips with just a splash of water to emulsify the cleanser. Rinse with warm water, then pat dry, and say hello to a naturally balanced glow.
No need to clutter your countertops with a million different products— just one bottle of this lightweight, refreshing cleanser that does it all. Pair it with one of embody's tasty gummies and an SPF, and you're good to glow all day, every day.
Ready to get your skin back on track? Shop embody's new One & Done Cleanser today! 💞